One of the rarest animals in the world was born on a farm in North Wales.

Shire horses have become more endangered than the Giant panda, with the UK Rare Breeds Survival Trust estimating there are less than 1,500 left in the world - there are an estimated 1,800 Giant pandas left in the wild.

Last week Elian Lady Helen was born Dolwen, near Abergele and her owner Derek Williams, 75, could not be any happier.

Mr Williams said: “She’s doing really well and I couldn’t be any prouder.”

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“I’ve sent horses to Europe, and one was even bought by the Budweiser brewery in America for publicity work, the horses are obviously well known for pulling hauling brewery wagons mostly at country shows now.

“I’m old enough to remember the old laundry in Old Colwyn who had a Shire for its deliveries, and the milk man would have a Shire horse.”

Farmer Derek Williams, of Bryn Elian Farm, Dolwen near Old Colwyn has bred one of the world's rarest animals (Image: David Powell)

The breed, has an enormous capacity for weight pulling.

“I suppose people like me kept the breed going, especially 30 years ago when the Shires almost disappeared in the 1960s.”